HYBE reports sharp decline in profits despite record revenue

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) — HYBE, the entertainment powerhouse behind global K-pop sensation BTS, on Wednesday reported a sharp decrease in profits despite achieving record revenue in the second quarter, due to higher costs associated with new ventures and artists. The company posted a record 640.5 billion won ($465.26 million) in sales during the April-June period, a 3.1 percent increase year-on-year. The figure surpasses the previous high of 621 billion won set in the s

August 7, 2024

Netflix unveils Korean survival show featuring influencers

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Netflix's much-hyped Korean survival show "The Influencer" was unveiled on Tuesday, with the release of its first four episodes out of seven. The remaining three episodes are set for release next week, according to the U.S. video-streaming site. The show features some 77 influencers on social media who collectively boast over 120 million followers. They carry out separate missions to compete for a prize money of 300 million won, awarded to

August 7, 2024

South Korea sizzles under prolonged heatwave

SEOUL, August 07 (AJU PRESS) - A blistering heatwave continued to torment South Korea on Wednesday, with temperatures soaring across most of the country. Heatwave warnings remained in effect for all regions except for Jeju Island, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The agency blamed the extreme weather on a persistent high-pressure system trapping hot air over the peninsula. Daily highs of 31 to 36 degrees Celsius combined with high humidity have made

August 7, 2024

BTS' Suga apologizes for riding electric scooter under influence

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Suga of K-pop boy band BTS apologized on Wednesday after his driver's license was revoked for riding an electric scooter under the influence. The 31-year-old, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service with a public-sector desk job, admitted he did not realize that riding a scooter after drinking was against the relevant laws. Suga explained that after having dinner and drinks the previous day, he rode the scooter for about 500 meter

August 7, 2024

Jeon Do-yeon shines in restrained revenge noir

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) -Actress Jeon Do-yeon demonstrated her versatility once again with her new film "Revolver," which hit local theaters this week. The revenge film revolves around a former cop, played by Jeon, who becomes embroiled in a corruption scandal and serves two years in prison instead of villains, lured by a hefty payout. Upon her release, she discovers that she has been betrayed and her promised rewards have vanished, leading her on a desperate chase to

August 7, 2024

Trial ferry service along Han River available for commuters this fall

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Seoulites will be able to use a ferry service connecting key locations along the Han River this fall. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that the service will be available on a trial basis in October with full operations slated for March next year. The new transportation service, which was delayed from the city's previous plan to improve safety, aims to ease traffic congestion during busy rush hours and also attract tourists by offeri

August 7, 2024

AI patent registrations by major Korean companies more than triple this year

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - The number of artificial intelligence (AI)-related patents registered by South Korea’s large companies with local authorities more than tripled this year, data showed Wednesday. According to a survey by CEO Score, a local research institution focused on business corporations, 111 major companies have registered 1,503 AI patents with the Korean Intellectual Property Office as of last month, up 273 percent from 403 last year. Samsung Electroni

August 7, 2024

Korea sees surge in new COVID variant cases

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Infections with a new variant of coronavirus has been surged recently, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) said Wednesday. According to the agency, some 465 patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the fourth week of July doubling the previous week's tally of 226 cases. KCDA has identified a variant called KP.3, known for its immune evasion capabilities. COVID-related hospitalizations had been declining since peaking in

August 7, 2024

Coupang posts first operating loss in eight quarters despite record revenue

SEOUL, August 07 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea's e-commerce giant Coupang reported its first operating loss in eight quarters, despite surpassing 10 trillion won ($7.2 billion) in quarterly revenue for the first time. In its second-quarter earnings report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, Coupang's revenue was 10.03 trillion won, up 30 percent from the same period in 2023. The company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, reported an opera

August 7, 2024

New compound may block coronavirus entry into cells

SEOUL, August 7 (AJU PRESS) - Korean scientists have discovered a compound that could potentially block the entry of coronaviruses and other viruses into human cells. The compound, named UNI418, regulates genome homeostasis and maintains a stable immune system to inhibit virus infiltration, according to the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) on Wednesday. The findings were published online in the Nature Publishing Group's journal Experimental & Mol

August 7, 2024